Kanthashilon, a well-known recitation organisation, has organised two separate programmes marking the 85th birth anniversary of Tagore exponent and cultural activist Waheedul Haque today at two separate venues in the capital. Kanthashilon has arranged a special programme titled ‘Bondhu Roho Roho Sathe’ to celebrate the birth anniversary of Waheedul Haque (today) and as well as artist Qayyum Chowdhury  (March 9) at the Chhayanaut auditorium in the capital’s Dhanmondi area today.  Artists Mustafa Monwar and art critic Moinuddin Khalek will discuss at the event on the topic ‘Chitrokala’.

The oprganisation has also organised a two-day celebration programme titled ‘Waheedul Haq Memorial Festival-2018’ at the Shawkat Osman Memorial Auditorium of the Central Public Library in the capital.

The inauguration ceremony of the two-day festival will take place today at the auditorium, where veteran cultural personality Kamal Lohani will be the chief guest. Presided over by president of Kanthashilon Golam Sarwar, Manchasarathi Ataur Rahman, renowned thespian Mamunur Rashid, Shabdo Shoinik Ashraful Alam and poet Tarik Sujat will attend the event as special guests.

Rameshwar with his troupe will play dhak-dhol in the morning of the opening day today, while noted dancer Tamanna Rahman and her troupe will perform dances.

The two-day festival will also feature solo and group presentations of poems, songs, dances, instrumental recitals, Brotochari dance, jarigaan, palagaan, puthipaath, discussion, colourful procession and more. The festival will end tomorrow by certificate distribution to students by Kanthashilon.

Born on March 16, 1933, Waheedul Haque -- also a writer, journalist and a founder member Kanthashilon – was a campaigner-activist for social-political-cultural causes and an founder of several cultural institutions.

He was one of the founding members of Chhayanaut in 1961. Chhayanaut played a vital role in the cultural-political scenario during the late 1960s, prior to the country’s liberation war.

He was also the founder member of Nalonda, Anandadhani, Fulki, Bratochari Samity and Bashanto Utsab Udjapon Parishad. He also formed the Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad in 1980.

He received Ekushey Padak for music in 2008 and Independence Day Award in cultural category in 2010.

Waheedul Haque died at Birdem Hospital in the capital on January 27 in 2007.